“Philosophical Differences”

When the FBI arrested several members (sic) of the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) in early 2006, it came as no surprise that much of the corporate media rejoiced. A fine example is an editorial that appeared in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer at the time. The ELF’s alleged actions, the editors pronounced, challenged “society’s ability to conduct itself peacefully” and demonstrated “arrogant, vicious thinking.” Most notable is this declaration: “There’s no philosophical difference between approving the torching of a large new home on Camano Island or the targeting of the tallest towers in Manhattan.”

For the sake of argument, let’s assume the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is correct in all of the above statements. What then, is the “philosophical difference” between the targeting of the tallest towers in Manhattan and the dropping of white phosphorous on babies in Iraq and why isn’t the corporate media setting aside space to ponder that question? Much is made of FBI claims that the ELF and ALF (Animal Liberation Front) represent the greatest domestic threat today but in the land that never apologizes, anything goes in the name of waging war on a tactic (terror).

Bringing it closer to home, one can only wonder if the Seattle Post-Intelligencer perceives factory farming as a challenge to “society’s ability to conduct itself peacefully”? Do the editors believe the morally bankrupt and scientifically fraudulent institution of animal experimentation demonstrates “arrogant, vicious thinking” or is such a label reserved only for official enemies?

Some will support ELF methods while others will strongly denounce them. In order to make such a determination, however, we need facts not hyperbole and fortunately, not all corporate media outlets issued a blanket condemnation of the ELF. Dean Schabner of ABCNews.com explained that the “majority of the postings on the ELF Web site have maintained a commitment to avoiding injury to people, even those responsible for the projects they oppose.” Schabner added: “They believe that the damage being done to the Earth by pollution, logging, mining and development must be stopped or the planet is doomed. They hope that by destroying property they can inflict enough financial damage on companies and individuals to make them stop their environmentally harmful practices.”

Whether we agree or disagree with the ELF mission and/or tactics, at least ABCNews.com offered a more rounded description of the leaderless group. In an informed society, this is precisely how citizens can form educated opinions.

Mickey Z. is the author of several books, most recently “50 American Revolutions You’re Not Supposed to Know” (Disinformation Books). He can be found on the Web at http://www.mickeyz.net.